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THE 



MILITARY ORDER 



LOYAL LEGION 



UNITED STATES 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 



PHILADELPHIA 

1889 



THE 



MILITARY ORDER 



LOYAL LEGION 



UNITED STATES 



INSTITUTED APRIL 15, 1S65 



w 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 



PHILADELPHIA 

1 889 




H^ou.».^-/nv4. 






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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year iSbs, for 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, 

By Sam. B. Wylie Mitchell, M. D,, Acting Recorder-in-Chief of said Order, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, 
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year jSSj, by 

JOHN P. NICHOLSON, 

Acting Recorder-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion 

of the United States, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year i88q, by 

fOHN P. NICHOLSON, 

Recorder-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress. 



First Edition, iSbj. \ Sixth Edition, 1874. 
Second " i8bb. ' Seventh " 1877. 

Eighth " 1880. 



Third " J8&7. 
1868. 
" 1S70. 
Eleventh Edition, i88q. 



Fourth " 1808. Ninth " 18S1. 

Fifth " 1S70. i Tenth " 1885. 



First Quadrennial Congress of the Order, Philadelphia, April q, iSbq. 

Second " >3, '873. 

Second Adjourned " New York, Dec. 10,1873. 

Third Quadrennial " Boston, April 11, 1877. 

Fourth " " " Philadelphia, " 13, 1881. 

Fifth " " " Chicago, " 15, 1885. 

Sixth " " '* Cincinnati, " 10, 1889. 



Journal of the Sixth Quadrennial Congress, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 
io-ii, 1889. 

Extract. ******* 
Companion John Cochrane, New York : 

Resolved, That the Constitution and By-Laws which have been adopted shall be 
promulgated and take effect July 4, 1889. 

The resolution was unanimously adopted. 

John P. Nicholson, Rutherford B. Hayes, 

Rccorder-in- Chief. Commander-in- Chief. 



CONSTITUTION. 



PREAMBLE. 

We, Officers and honorably discharged Officers 
of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps of the United 
States, whose names are hereunto annexed, having 
aided in maintaining the honor, integrity and su- 
premacy of the National Government at a critical 
period of its history, and holding in remembrance 
the sacrifices in common made and the triumphs 
together shared in discharge of this sacred duty, unite 
to ordain and establish a permanent association for 
the purposes and objects hereinafter set forth, and to 
this end pledge our honor, as officers and gentlemen, 
to be governed by the following Constitution and 
By-Laws. 

ARTICLE I. 

TITLE. 

This association shall be known as The Military 
Order of the Loyal Legion of the United 
States. 



ARTICLE II. 

PRINCIPLES. 

This Order acknowledges as its fundamental prin- 
ciples — 

First. A firm belief and trust in Almighty God, ex- 
tolling Him under whose beneficent guidance the 
sovereignty and integrity of the Union have been 
maintained, the honor of the Flag vindicated, and the 
blessings of civil liberty secured, established and en- 
larged. 

Second. True allegiance to the United States of Amer- 
ica, based upon paramount respect for and fidelity to 
the National Constitution and Laws, manifested by dis- 
countenancing whatever may tend to weaken loyalty, 
incite to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or impair in 
any manner the efficiency and permanency of our free 
institutions. 

ARTICLE III. 

OBJECTS. 

The objects of this Order shall be to cherish the 
memories and associations of the war waged in defence 
of the unity and indivisibility of the Republic ; strength- 
en the ties of fraternal fellowship and sympathy formed 
by companionship-in-arms ; advance the best inter- 
ests of the soldiers and sailors of the United States, 
especially of those associated as Companions of this 
Order, and extend all possible relief to their widows 
and children ; foster the cultivation of military and 



naval science ; enforce unqualified allegiance to the 
General Government ; protect the rights and liberties 
of American citizenship, and maintain National Honor, 
Union and Independence. 

ARTICLE IV. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Section i. — This Order shall be composed of State 
Commanderies and a National Commandery. 

Sec. 2. — There shall be but one Commandery in each 
State, which shall be designated as " The Commandery 

of the State of ," excepting the Commandery of 

the District of Columbia, which shall be designated as 
such. The relative seniority of the several State Com- 
manderies shall be determined by the respective dates 
of their institution. 

Sec. 3. — The National Commandery shall be desig- 
nated "The Commandery-in-Chief." 

Sec. 4. — Commanderies may become incorporated 
subject to the provisions of this Constitution. 

ARTICLE V. 

MEMBERS. 

Section i. — The Companions of this Order shall be 
elected, in the manner hereinafter provided, from the 
three classes below defined, and shall be entitled Com- 
panions of said classes respectively. 

Sec. 2. First Class: 1st. Commissioned officers 
and honorably discharged commissioned officers of the 



United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Regular 
or Volunteer, including officers of assimilated or cor- 
responding rank by appointment of the Secretary 
of War or Navy, who were actually engaged in the 
suppression of the Rebellion prior to the fifteenth day 
of April, 1865, and whose names appear in the Offi- 
cial Registers of the United States Army and Navy 
and of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army, 
or who served under the President's call of the fif- 
teenth day of April, 1861 ; or who, having served as 
non-commissioned officers, warrant officers or enlisted 
men during the War of the Rebellion, have since been 
commissioned as officers in the United States Army, 
Navy or Marine Corps, or were commissioned as offi- 
cers in the Volunteer Force prior to the twentieth day 
of August, 1 865; and persons who, having served as 
non-commissioned officers, warrant officers or enlisted 
men as aforesaid, shall have become eligible to mem- 
bership by inheritance from officers not members of 
the Order, but who were eligible as such, who shall 
have died prior to the thirty-first day of December, 
1892. Those elected under the provisions of this clause 
shall be designated Original Companions of the First 
Class. 

2d. The eldest direct male lineal descendants, accord- 
ing to the rules of primogeniture, of deceased Orig- 
inal Companions of the First Class, and of officers 
not members of the Order, but who were eligible as 
such, who shall have died prior to the thirty-first day 



of December, 1892; and if there are no such descend- 
ants, then the male heirs of such deceased Com- 
panions or officers in the collateral branches of their 
families in the order of genealogical succession ac- 
cording to the rules of primogeniture, disregarding 
intervening female lives. 

Provided, however, First. That the inheritance shall 
in every case of succession be traced anew from the 
original founder of the membership in the Order, 
or deceased officer as aforesaid, and not otherwise., 
and shall be limited in cases of collateral succession 
to the brothers, and descendants of brothers and sis- 
ters, of such Original Companion or deceased officer ; 
in cases of representation through females, the elder 
branches shall be preferred to the younger : 

Second. That any person eligible to membership by 
inheritance, or by renunciation of another, may, in 
writing, waive and renounce his right to such eligi- 
bility in» favor of the person next entitled at the time 
of such renunciation, excepting that no person who is 
a direct lineal descendant of an Original Companion 
or deceased officer as aforesaid, shall be allowed to 
waive his right in favor of a collateral relative of such 
Original Companion or deceased officer : 

Third. That in case a Companion of the First Class 
or person already eligible to membership is next in the 
line of inheritance from a deceased Original Compan- 
ion or officer as aforesaid, the eligibility to membership 
derived from such deceased Companion or officer 



10 

shall devolve upon the person next entitled other than 
such living Companion or person already eligible or 
the direct lineal descendants of either ; but any- 
Original Companion having no direct lineal descend- 
ant may by writing filed with the Recorder of the 
Commandery in which he may be enrolled, or by his 
last will and testament, or instrument in the nature 
thereof, nominate for life his successor from among 
his male heirs within the said limits in the collateral 
branches of his family : 

Fourth. That in cases of inheritance by persons under 
the age of twenty-one years the right of succession to 
eligibility to membership, or of renunciation thereof, 
shall remain in abeyance until they shall attain that 
age: 

Fifth. That the resignation, expulsion or forfeiture 
of membership of a Companion who has obtained such 
membership by inheritance shall only work as a waiver 
of his rights in favor of the next person in the line of 
inheritance from the Original Companion or deceased 
officer as aforesaid: 

Sixth. That no right of inheritance shall be derived 
from any Original Companion who has been expelled 
from the Order and not reinstated, but, in case an 
Original Companion shall have resigned or been 
dropped from the roll for non-payment of dues, his 
successor may be allowed by vote of a majority of 
the members of the Commandery present at any stated 
meeting to revive the said right : 



II 

Seventh. That such descendants or collateral heirs 
shall have first filed affidavits setting forth the facts 
upon which eligibility to membership is claimed. 

Sec. 3. — Second Class : The eMest sons of living 
Original Companions of the First Class who shall have 
attained the age of twenty-one years. Upon the death 
of his father, a Companion of the Second Class shall 
become a Companion of the First Class, and be so 
announced to the Order by circular. Companions of 
the Second Class shall have the right to vote in all 
cases except in elections for membership in the First 
Class. 

Sec. 4. — Third Class: Gentlemen who in civil life, 
during the Rebellion, were specially distinguished for 
conspicuous and consistent loyalty to the National Gov- 
ernment, and were active and eminent in maintaining the 
supremacy of the same; but the number of Companions 
of the Third Class in any Commandery shall not exceed 
the ratio of one to thirty-three of those of the First 
Class. Provided, however: That no Companion of the 
Third Class shall be elected after the fifteenth day of 
April, 1890. 

ARTICLE VI. 
election of members. 

Section i. — Every application for membership shall 
be made to the Commandery of the State in which the 
applicant resides, if a Commandery exists therein, and 
if there be none, then to such Commandery as the ap- 
plicant may select. 



12 

Sec. 2. — Every application for membership of the 
First or Second Class shall be made in writing and 
signed by the applicant, who shall be recommended 
in writing by three Companions of the First Class 
of the Commandery to which he shall apply, at least 
one of whom shall further vouch by letter for the 
candidate's worthiness. The application shall be 
accompanied by an admission fee of not less than 
twenty-five dollars, which shall be refunded in case 
of non-election. 

Sec. 3. — The name, address and military record of 
every applicant for membership, together with the 
names of the Companions recommending him, shall 
be published in a circular and be referred to a com- 
mittee of investigation, consisting of three Companions 
of the First Class, other than the recommending Com- 
panions, which committee shall report in writing at the 
next stated meeting. Upon the reading of the report, 
the Commander shall formally request any Companion 
who has any objection thereto, or reasons against the 
election of the applicant, to state the same if he so 
desires. If the application be for membership as an 
Original Companion of the First Class, each Original 
Companion present, and no other, shall cast one ballot 
for or against the applicant; but if the application be 
for membership by inheritance, every Companion of the 
First Class present shall cast one ballot for or against 
the applicant; and if the application be for membership 
in the Second Class, every Companion of that Class 



13 

present shall also vote. If not more than four adverse 
ballots be cast against the applicant, he shall be de- 
clared elected. 

Sec. 4. — An application for membership may be 
withdrawn before report thereon, or after favorable 
report and before ballot ; but if the report be unfavor- 
able, the candidate must be balloted for. 

Sec. 5. — Nominations for membership in the Third 
Class shall be made in writing to the Board of Officers 
by five Original Companions of the First Class. The 
Board of Officers shall act as a committee of investi- 
gation, and if satisfied that the nominee is worthy and 
eligible, shall favorably report his name to the Com- 
mandery, and state in writing the acts of conspicuous 
and consistent loyalty for which he was specially dis- 
tinguished. The report shall be acted upon at the 
next stated meeting of the Commandery after its 
promulgation by circular. Upon the adoption of 
the report every Companion of the Commandery 
present shall cast one ballot for or against the candi- 
date, and if no adverse ballot is cast against him, he 
shall be declared elected. 

Sec. 6. — Companions shall subscribe to the Con- 
stitution, and shall be installed at a stated meeting, 
or by such written declaration as may be prescribed 
by the By-Laws. 

Sec. 7. — Each Companion shall be entitled to the 
insignia during membership. Original Companions of 
the First Class, and Companions elected thereto by right 



of inheritance from deceased officers, and Companions 
of the Third Class, shall be entitled to the diploma. 
The right to hold the insignia and diploma of a Com- 
panion of the First Class shall, after his death, remain 
in the relative next entitled to the membership — in the 
family, if there be no such relative, and in the Com- 
mandery through which they were issued, if there be 
no such relative or family. A Companion of the 
Second Class, upon becoming a Companion of the 
First Class, shall return to the Commandery in which 
he was elected the insignia in his possession as such 
Companion of the Second Class. The right to hold 
the insignia and diploma of a Companion of the Third 
Class shall, after his death, remain in his family, and in 
the Commandery through which they were issued if 
there be no such family. 

Sec. 8. — If an applicant be rejected, such action 
shall be communicated to all Commanderies, and he 
shall be thereafter forever ineligible for election, except 
after one year in the Commandery by which he was 
rejected ; and then only by unanimous ballot. If a 
candidate for membership by inheritance shall be 
rejected, the person standing next in regular order 
of inheritance shall be eligible. 

Sec. 9. — Any Companion who shall disclose the 
name of another who has been instrumental in caus- 
ing the rejection of an applicant for membership, or 
who shall give information that may lead to such dis- 
closure, shall be liable to expulsion from the Order, 



15 

and the Commander shall cause this section to be 
read immediately after such rejection. 

ARTICLE VII. 

COMPANIONS-AT-LARGE. 

Any gentleman who was engaged in the suppression 
of the Rebellion prior to the fifteenth day of April, 1865, 
serving upon staff duty without commission, may be 
elected a Companion-at-Large upon the nomination 
of a State Commandery, and election by the Com- 
mandery- in-Chief. Such nomination shall only be 
made upon due application and investigation, and by 
unanimous favorable ballot of the Companions present 
at the meeting when the report of the committee of 
investigation is submitted. Upon notification of the 
nomination the Commandery-in-Chief, after further in- 
vestigation, shall act upon the nomination. The vote 
shall be by ballot, and. one adverse ballot shall reject. 

A Companion-at-Large shall become an Original 
Companion of the First Class, upon affiliation with the 
State Commandery by which he was nominated, and 
shall receive the diploma and insignia of the Order. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

RESIGNATIONS AND TRANSFERS. 

Section i. — Resignations shall be offered in writing at 
a stated meeting of the Commandery, accompanied by 
a certificate from the Recorder that all dues have been 
paid, and the insignia and diploma shall be returned, 
the registered number of which shall never be re-issued 



i6 

except in case of his restoration to membership. Such 
resignation may be accepted by a two-thirds vote of the 
Companions present at any stated meeting, provided 
that it shall not be accepted pending charges. 

Sec. 2. — A Companion who shall have resigned may 
upon application to the Commandery of which he had 
been a member be restored to membership by vote of a 
majority of the members of the Commandery present 
at any stated meeting : Provided, That notice of such 
intended action shall have been published by Circular. 
In case of such restoration his former number on the 
roll and the original number of his insignia shall be 
assigned and his original diploma returned to him. 

Sec. 3. — A Companion changing his abode, or his 
station if in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps, may be 
transferred to the Commandery most accessible, upon 
written application to his Commandery, accompanied 
by a certificate that his dues have been paid. 

ARTICLE IX. 

FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP. 

Section i. — Membership shall be forfeited only for 
violation of the obligations assumed on entering the 
Order, or for conduct unbecoming a gentleman. In 
such cases the diploma and insignia shall be returned 
to the Commandery. 

Sec. 2. — If the conduct or character of any Com- 
panion be impeached, the accusing Companion shall 
prefer charges in writing to the Board of Officers, who 



17 

shall notify the accused ; and if, after due investigation, 
the Board considers the charges to be sustained, it shall 
report its findings to the Commandery, notifying the ac- 
cused of the time when the report is to be made. The 
accused may be expelled, suspended or reprimanded at 
a stated meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the mem- 
bers of the Commandery present. 

Sec. 3. — The dismissal, cashiering or dishonorable 
discharge from the military or naval service of the 
United States, or the conviction in a court of justice 
of a criminal offence, of any Companion, shall con- 
stitute sufficient reason for his expulsion without 
further investigation. 

Sec. 4. — A Companion who has been expelled may 
be reinstated by unanimous vote of the members of the 
Commandery present at a stated meeting, after he shall 
have petitioned in writing for reinstatement. Notice of 
such petition shall be published in the circular calling 
the stated meeting. 

ARTICLE X. 

DIPLOMA OF MEMBERSHIP. 

Section i. — Every Diploma of Membership shall 
be signed by the Commander-in-Chief, have the seal 
of the Order affixed thereto, and be attested by the 
Recorder-in-Chief. 

Sec. 2. — The form of the Diploma for Original Com- 
panions of the First Class, other than those by right of 
inheritance from officers who shall have died prior to the 
thirty-first day of December, 1892, shall be as follows: 



i8 

No 

In the name and by the Authority of 

[COAT OF ARMS.] 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 

United States. 

The Commandery-in-Chief 
To all to wJiom these Presents shall come, 

Greeting : 

Know ye, That 

Having been specially distinguished for faithful services 
in maintaining the honor, integrity and supremacy of 
the Government of the United States of America, was 
received as a Companion of the First Class of the 
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 

United States, on the day of , Anno Domini 

thousand hundred and , through the Com- 

mandery of the State of 

In testimony whereof the names of the proper 
Officers and the Seal of the Order are hereunto affixed. 

Given at Philadelphia, this day of , in the 

year of our Lord thousand hundred and , 

and of the Independence of the United States of 
America the , and of the Order the 



Commandcr-in- Chief. 
Attest : — 



'Jm* Recorder-in-Chief 

Sec. 3. — The form of the Diploma for Companions 
of the Third Class shall be similar in form to that for 
Original Companions of the First Class. 

Sec. 4. — The form of the Diploma for Companions 
of the First Class by right of inheritance from officers 
who shall have died prior to the thirty-first day of De- 
cember, 1892, shall be as follows: 



19 

No 

In the name and by the Authority of 

ICO AT OF ARMS.'] 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States. 

The Commandery-in-Chief 

To all to ivhom these Presents shall come, 

Greeting : 

Whereas 

was distinguished for faithful services in maintaining 
the honor, integrity and supremacy of the Govern- 
ment of the United States of America during the War 

of the Rebellion, and ___ 

Now know ye, That his was elected, by 

right of inheritance, a Companion of the First Class 
of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of 

the United States, on the day of , Anno 

Domini thousand hundred and , through the 

Commandery of the State of 

In testimony whereof the names of the proper 
Officers and the Seal of the Order are hereunto affixed. 

Given at Philadelphia, this day of , in the 

year of our Lord thousand hundred and . , 

and of the Independence of the United States of 
America the , and of the Order the 



o-jisfeu Commander-in- Chief. 

Attest :— 




Recorder-in- Chief 



20 



ARTICLE XI. 

OFFICERS. 

Section i. — The Officers of the several State Com- 
manderies shall be a Commander, a Senior Vice-Com- 
mander, a Junior Vice-Commander, a Recorder, a 
Registrar, a Treasurer, a Chancellor, a Chaplain, and a 
Council consisting of five Companions, which officers 
shall constitute the Board of Officers of the Com- 
mandery. They shall be elected annually by ballot 
by a majority of the votes cast. Should no candidate 
receive a majority of the votes cast at the first ballot, 
then the candidate receiving the lowest number of 
votes shall be dropped, and so on at each successive 
ballot. The Companions so elected shall be invested 
personally or by written acceptance, and enter upon 
office at once, and hold the same until their suc- 
cessors shall have been elected and invested. 

Sec. 2. — The Officers of the Commandery-in-Chief 
shall be a Commander-in-Chief, a Senior Vice-Com- 
mander-in-Chief, a Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, a 
Recorder-in-Chief, a Registrar-in-Chief, a Treasurer- 
in-Chief, a Chancellor-in-Chief, a Chaplain-in-Chief, 
and a Council-in-Chief, consisting of five Companions, 
which officers shall constitute the Board of Officers 
of the Commandery-in-Chief. They shall be elected 
biennially in the manner prescribed for the election 
of officers of the State Commanderies, and shall be 
invested personally or by written acceptance and enter 



21 

upon their office at once, and hold the same until their 
successors shall have been elected and invested. 

ARTICLE XII. 

DUTIES AND POWERS OF OFFICERS. 

Section i. — It shall be the duty of the Commander 
to preside at all meetings of the Commandery and of 
the Board of Officers, enforce a strict observance of 
the Constitution and By-Laws, and perform such other 
duties as custom and parliamentary usage may require. 

Sec. 2. — The Vice-Commanders shall, when called 
upon, assist the Commander, and in his absence per- 
form his duties, and shall succeed, in order, to his 
office in event of his death, resignation, or removal. 

Sec. 3. — It shall be the duty of the Recorder to 
record the proceedings of the Commandery and of 
the Board of Officers, and collect all moneys due the 
Commandery. 

Sec. 4. — It shall be the duty of the Registrar to 
keep a register of the Companions of the Command- 
ery, embracing the material facts relating to their mem- 
bership. In the absence or disability of the Recorder, 
he shall act in his stead. 

Sec. 5. — It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to 
receive from the Recorder all moneys belonging to 
the Commandery, and receipt therefor. He shall give 
such security as the Commandery may direct. 

Sec. 6. — The Chancellor shall have the care and 
custody of the Insignia, Ribbon and Rosettes, and 



22 

shall issue, on proper requisitions, the diploma and 
insignia. In the absence or disability of the Treas- 
urer, he shall act in his stead. 

Sec. 7. — It shall be the duty of the Chaplain to 
open the several meetings of the Commandery with 
prayer, and perform such other duties as general cus- 
tom may require of him. 

Sec. 8. — The Council shall constitute a standing com- 
mittee on accounts, and shall audit and adjust the 
Commandery's books semi-annually, or oftener if re- 
quired to do so, rendering reports thereof to the Com- 
mandery. 

Sec. 9. — The Board of Officers shall have general 
supervision and control over all property belonging 
to the Commandery. It shall have power to fill va- 
cancies in any of the offices of the Commandery, 
until the time of the next election, except in that of 
Commander, which shall be filled as prescribed in 
Section 2 of this Article. 

Sec. 10. — Other duties may be prescribed for the 
officers by the By-Laws or by the Commandery upon 
recommendation of the Board of Officers. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

REMOVAL OF OFFICERS. 

Any officer who shall neglect or improperly perform 
the duties incumbent upon him, may be removed at 
any stated meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the mem- 
bers of the Commandery present. 



23 



ARTICLE XIV. 

MEETINGS. 

Section i. — The stated meetings of the several 
State Commanderies shall be held at such times as 
they shall determine by a two-thirds vote : Provided, 
however, That every Commandery shall hold an an- 
nual meeting in the month of May for the election of 
officers. 

Sec 2. — Special meetings shall be convened at the 
pleasure of the Commander, or upon the written re- 
quest of twenty-five Companions of the Commandery 
upon seven days' notice. 

Sec 3. — Fifteen Companions of the Commandery 
shall constitute a quorum at any meeting for the 
transaction of business. 

Sec 4. — None but Companions of the Order shall 
be present at its business meetings. 

ARTICLE XV. 

ARREARS. 

Section i. — No Companion in arrears shall be enti- 
tled to vote at the annual election for officers, or be 
eligible to any office in the Order. 

Sec 2. — Any Companion who, on the first day of 
April, may be in arrears for one year or more, shall 
be notified thereof; and if such arrears shall not be 
paid within three months after such notice, the Com- 
mandery may, by a majority vote of the members 



24 

present, suspend the Companion until such arrears 
shall be paid or remitted. 

Sec. 3. — Any Companion who shall neglect or re- 
fuse to pay such arrears may be dropped from the 
roll by vote of two-thirds of the Companions present 
at any stated meeting, unless it shall appear that the 
delinquency has occurred unavoidably, in which case 
the Commandery may remit the whole or any portion 
of such arrears by a two-thirds vote. A Companion 
so dropped may, upon payment of such arrears, be 
reinstated by vote of a majority of the members of 
the Commandery present at any stated meeting : Pro- 
vided, That notice of such intended action shall have 
been published by Circular. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF. 

Section i. — The Commander-in-Chief shall con- 
sist of the Commanders, ex-Commanders, Vice-Com- 
manders, ex-Vice-Commanders, Recorders, and ex- 
Recorders of the several Commanderies. 

Sec. 2. — The duties and powers of the officers of 
the Commandery-in-Chief shall correspond with those 
prescribed in this Constitution and By-Laws for offi- 
cers of State Commanderies. 

Sec. 3. — The chief executive and supreme judicial 
power shall be vested in the Commandery-in-Chief. 

Sec. 4. — The Commandery-in-Chief shall, in the 



25 

name and by the authority of the Order, issue all 
diplomas of membership. 

Sec. 5. — The Chancellor-in-Chief shall have the cus- 
tody of the diploma-plate, dies, insignia, ribbon and 
rosettes, and, upon requisition, shall deliver to the 
Chancellors of State Commanderies the diplomas, 
insignia and rosettes required for their respective 
Companions. 

Sec. 6. — Should any State Commandery cease to 
hold regular meetings for one year, its Charter may 
be revoked by the Commandery-in-Chief, and in the 
event of such revocation the Companions of such 
Commandery in good standing shall be transferred 
to such other Commanderies as they may elect. 

Sec. 7. — The head-quarters of the Commandery- 
in-Chief shall be in the City of Philadelphia, Penn- 
sylvania, and it shall there assemble at least once in 
every two years. Meetings shall be held in alternate 
years at such places as may be designated at pre- 
ceding stated meetings. The Council-in-Chief shall 
meet annually. 

Sec. 8. — Special meetings of the Commandery-in- 
Chief shall be convened at the pleasure of the Com- 
mander-in-Chief, or upon the written request of twenty 
members upon ten days' notice. 

Sec. 9. — The expenses of the Commandery-in- 
Chief shall be provided for by a pro rata assessment 
upon each State Commandery, according to its respect- 
ive number of Companions. 



26 



ARTICLE XVII. 

STATE COMMANDERIES. 

Section i. — Authority to organize a State Com- 
mandery may be granted by the Commandery-in- 
Chief, upon the vote of two-thirds of its members 
present at any meeting, on written application by at 
least twenty Original Companions of the First Class, 
whereupon a Charter shall be issued. 

Sec. 2. — The form of Charter shall be as follows : 



2/ 

In the Name and by the Authority of 

ICO AT OF ARMS] 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States. 

The Commandery-in-Chief 

To all and singular to whom these Presents shall come, 

Greeting : 
Know ye, that our worthy Companions, . 



are hereby authorized and empowered to institute 
organize and establish a Commandery in 



to be known as The Commandery of the State of 

, of the Military Order of the Loyal 

Legion of the United States. 

Witness the name of the Commander-in-Chief, and 
the Seal of the Order, attested by the Recorder-in- 

Chief, at Philadelphia, this day of . — in the 

year of our Lord thousand hundred and 

. , and of the Independence of the United States 

of America the , and of the Order the_ , 




Commander-in- Chief. 



Rccorder-in- Chief. 



28 

Sec. 3. — Upon issuing a Charter, the Commander- 
in-Chief shall designate the time and place for the or- 
ganization of the Commandery. The officers shall 
then be chosen, and shall enter on their duties at 
once and hold office until their successors, elected at 
the annual meeting next following, shall have been 
invested. 

Sec. 4. — Each Commandery shall have power to 
adopt rules and regulations for its own government, 
which shall not conflict with the Constitution and By- 
Laws of the Order. 

Sec. 5. — Each Commandery, on the first day of 
May in every year, shall make a full report of its 
condition, with a general history of its proceedings, 
to the Commandery-in-Chief. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

CONGRESS OF THE ORDER. 

Section i. — A Congress of the Order, to be com- 
posed of the Commander-in-Chief, Recorder-in- Chief, 
and three representatives from each Commandery, shall 
assemble at least once in every four years, on the Wed- 
nesday next following the ninth day of April, at such 
place as shall have been designated by the preceding 
Congress. 

Sec. 2. — Each State Commandery shall elect by 
ballot, at the stated meeting next preceding the month 
in which the Congress is to assemble, three represent- 
atives and three alternates, vacancies in the represent- 



2 9 

atives to be filled by the alternates in the order of 
their election. Vacancies in the representation of a 
Commandery may be filled by its representatives pres- 
ent selecting the requisite substitutes from Companions 
of the Order present at the Congress and not previous- 
ly delegated as representatives or selected as substitutes 
by other Commanderies. When a Commandery can- 
not be represented in the Congress, the Commander 
shall cause to be transmitted to the Recorder-in-Chief 
duly certified authorization to the Commander-in-Chief 
to select from Companions not representing other Com- 
manderies who may be present at the Congress three 
representatives for the Commandery, who shall have 
the full powers of other representatives. 

Sec. 3. — All legislative power shall be vested in the 
Congress of the Order. 

Sec. 4. — Votes in the Congress shall be by State 
Commanderies, each Commandery having one vote. 

ARTICLE XIX. 

COAT OF ARMS OF THE ORDER. 

The Coat of Arms of the Order shall be : 

Anns. — Gironne, (symbolical of unity,) of thirty-four, 

gules and argent, (representing the number of States forming the 
National Government at the commencement of the Rebellion;) a 
twisted pillar irradiated in pale, or, environed by an 
orl of clouds, proper. (v. Exodus xiii, 21, 22.) 

Crest. — Upon a wreath, argent and gules, a hemi- 
sphere, or, charged with the legend America, in letters 



30 

azure ; thereon the National Eagle in defence, proper ; 
all within thirteen etoiles of five points archwise, of the 
first, on a field of the fourth. 

Supporters. — Dexter : A soldier under arms, his 
dexter hand supporting a lance, therefrom flying the 
Standard of the United States ; Sinister : A sailor 
equipped for general quarters, his sinister hand sup- 
porting a pike, thereon hoisted the National Flag : all 
proper. The equipage of each as prescribed by the 
Regulations of 1 86 1-1865 f° r tne government of the 
Army and Navy. 

Motto. — lex regit arma tuentur, in letters argent, 
charged upon a scroll, purpure. (v. Frontispiece.) 

ARTICLE XX. 

SEAL OF THE ORDER. 

The Seal of the Order shall be one and three-tenths 
inches in diameter, and shall consist of the Crest, as 
hereinbefore blazoned, the letters mdccclxv in base ; 
the whole encircled by a band one-eighth of an inch 
wide, thereon the legend, seal of the military order 
of the loyal legion of the united states. 

ARTICLE XXI. 

INSIGNIA of the order. 

Section i. — The Insignia of the Order shall consist 
of the Badge pendent by a link and a ring of gold 
from the Ribbon. 

Sec. 2. — The Badge shall be as follows : 



3i 

Obverse. — A cross of eight points, gold, cantoned 
with rays of gold, forming a star — its long diameter 
one and three-tenths inches, its short diameter eight- 
tenths of an inch. The cross enameled, azure, 
charged with a smaller cross of like proportions, 
enameled white and edged with gold. In the centre 
thereof, within a circle four-tenths of an inch in diam- 
eter, enameled gules, the National Eagle displayed 
gold. On the circle, gold, one-tenth of an inch wide, 
in relievo, the motto, lex regit arma tuentur. 

(v. page 34.) 

Reverse. — The star as above described. In the 
centre thereof, within a circle four-tenths of an inch 
in diameter, enameled gules, two sabres in saltire, their 
points in base ; surmounted by a fasces palewise, en- 
signed with the Phrygian Cap ; environed in chief 
with an arch of thirteen stars ; in base, a wreath of 
laurel : all of gold. On the circle, gold, one-tenth 
of an inch wide, in relievo, the legend — m. o., loyal 

LEGION, U. S. MDCCCLXV. {v. page 35.) 

Sec. 3. — The reverse of the link of each Badge 
shall bear an engraved number corresponding to that 
of the registered number of the Diploma of the 
Companion to whom issued, and, when such Badge 
shall have been worn by an Original Companion, 
the obverse of the link shall bear the number of the 
Companion last entitled to it in succession. 

Sec. 4. — The Ribbon shall be of watered silk, one 
and one-half inches wide. 



32 

For Original Companions of the First Class, the 
ribbon shall have a red centre eight-tenths of an inch 
wide, with a border of white and edging of blue, each 
three-and-one-half tenths of an inch wide. [v. page 34.) 

For Companions of the First Class, other than 
Original Companions, and Companions of the Second 
and Third Classes, the ribbon shall have a blue centre 
eight-tenths of an inch wide, with a border of white 
and edging of red, each three-and-one-half tenths of 
an inch wide. {v. page 35.) 

Sec. 5. — The Rosette of the Order shall be one-half 
of an inch in diameter, of watered silk, with six sector- 
shaped sections and a rim with six diagonal stripes on 
its face and sides. 

For Original Companions of the First Class, the 
sector-shaped sections shall be of red, white and blue, 
the red sections being double the size of those of the 
other colors, with red loop in the centre. The rim 
shall be of the same colors, diagonal, the red stripes 
being double the width of those of the other colors. 

For Companions of the First Class, other than 
Original Companions, and Companions of the Second 
and Third Classes, the sector-shaped sections shall be 
of blue, with white loop in the centre, and the rim of 
the same colors and design as prescribed for the 
Rosette of Original Companions of the First Class. 



33 



ARTICLE XXII. 

UNIFORM OF THE ORDER. 

Section i. — On occasions of ceremony, Companions 
may wear the uniform of their respective arm and grade 
in the service. 

The Insignia shall be worn conspicuously on tne 
left breast, except that Officers of the Order shall wear 
the Badge suspended by the Ribbon around the neck. 

Sec. 2. — Companions when not on duty may wear 
the Rosette of the prescribed colors in the upper 
button-hole of the left lapel of the coat. The Rosette 
shall not be worn at the same time as the Insignia, 
and the Insignia shall be worn at all meetings of 
the Order. 

ARTICLE XXIII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

No alteration, addition or amendment shall be made 
to this Constitution unless it shall have been proposed 
by a State Commandery, communicated to all other 
Commanderies, and ratified by the votes of three-fourths 
of the Commanderies at the next succeeding Congress. 



f^mn 




Obverse. 




Reverse. 



BY-LAWS. 



ARTICLE I. 

ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

The order of business at stated meetings shall be as 
follows : 

1. The Commandery shall be called to order by 
the presiding officer. 

2. The Chaplain shall pronounce the opening prayer. 

3. The Recorder may call the roll of members. 

4. The minutes of the last stated and all subsequent 
meetings shall be read and acted upon. 

5. Companions-elect shall be installed. 

6. The stated business of the meeting, if any, shall 
be considered. 

7. Unfinished business shall be taken up. 

8. Reports of officers and committees shall be 
heard. 

9. Candidates for membership shall be balloted for. 

10. Applications for membership may be received. 

1 1. Written communications shall be presented. 

12. New business may be introduced. 

13. Adjournment. 

36 



37 



ARTICLE II. 

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

Section i. — The general parliamentary law shall 
govern the meetings of the Congress of the Order 
and the Commanderies. 

Sec. 2. — All official orders, communications, records 
and proceedings, of whatever character, shall conform 
as nearly as possible to the general regulations, usages 
and customs of the military service of the United States. 

ARTICLE III. 

INVESTITURE OF OFFICERS. 

A Companion elected to any office in the Order, 
before being invested with the authority of the same, 
shall make a formal declaration upon honor that he 
will well and faithfully perform the duties of the office 
upon which he is about to enter, and comply with all 
the established laKvs and usages of the Order. 

ARTICLE IV. 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 

Section I. — In addition to those prescribed by the 
Constitution, the following duties shall be performed 
by the several officers of the Commandery : — ■ 

It shall be the duty of the Commander to appoint 
all officers and committees not otherwise provided for, 
and sign all orders drawn upon the Treasurer, by order 
of the Board of Officers or the Commandery, for sums 



38 

necessary to defray expenses, and for other appropria- 
tions. 

Sec. 2. — It shall be the duty of the Recorder to 
keep in books provided for the purpose, — 

1st. The Constitution and By-Laws, rules and 
regulations of the Order. 

2d. A letter-book of copies of all official letters. 

3d. A ledger, to contain the accounts of the Com- 
mandery with its members. 

4th. A receipt-book, in which to take the Treas- 
urer's receipts. 

5th. A book in which shall be recorded the names 
and rank in the service of all persons who have been de- 
clared ineligible for membership in the Order, and also 
of those Companions who may have been expelled from 
any Commandery, together with the reasons therefor. 

It shall be his duty to keep these books in readi- 
ness for inspection by the Council, care for the archives 
of the Commandery, keep all accounts between the 
Commandery and its members, attest all orders drawn 
upon the Treasurer and give due notice of all meetings. 
On the first day of January in each year he shall for- 
ward to every Companion a statement of his account. 
He shall conduct the correspondence of the Comr 
mandery, and notify the Commandery-in-Chief and the 
State Commanderies, from time to time as they may 
occur, of applications, the withdrawals of applications, 
admissions, rejections, suspensions, expulsions, resig- 
nations, restorations and deaths. He shall notify the 



39 

families of deceased Companions of the First Class, of 
the provisions relating to succession to eligibility of 
membership. He shall have the care and custody of 
the Seal of the Order. He shall, at the last stated 
meeting in his term of office, make a full report of 
all moneys received during his term, and of all arrear- 
ages of Companions, and transfer to his successor in 
office, within two weeks after the expiration of his 
term, all books, papers, or other property in his pos- 
session belonging to his office. 

Sec. 3. — The Treasurer shall pay all orders signed 
by the Commander and attested by the Recorder, and 
none others, and retain these orders as his vouchers. 
He shall keep accounts of his receipts and expendi- 
tures, making quarterly statements thereof. He shall 
pay over and deliver to his successor in office all 
moneys, vouchers, books and papers belonging to 
the Commandery. 

Sec. 4. — The Chancellor shall keep in a book full 
and complete records of the issue of Diplomas, 
Insignia, Ribbon and Rosettes. In no case shall he 
issue a duplicate Diploma or Insignia except by a 
vote of the Commandery of which he is Chancellor, 
based upon the statement, upon honor, by the ap- 
plicant that the original has been either lost or 
destroyed : Provided, That a Companion obtaining 
such duplicate shall pay the actual cost thereof. 

Sec. 5. — It shall be the duty of the Board of Officers 



40 

to act as a court of honor for the just and amicable 
settlement of dissensions between Companions. 

ARTICLE V. 

INSTALLATION OF MEMBERS. 

A Companion-elect upon being installed shall, orally 
if present, and in writing if absent, make declaration 
upon honor that he will maintain the Constitution of the 
Order, conform to its By-Laws and rules, and use his 
best endeavors to promote its objects and advance its 
interests. 

ARTICLE VI. 

FUNDS. 

Section i. — The fiscal year of the Order shall begin 
on the first day of January. 

Sec. 2. — The funds for the expenses of the Order, 
and for purposes of relief, shall be raised by an annual 
assessment of at least five dollars upon each Compan- 
ion, which shall be paid in advance. 

Sec. 3. — Any Companion who shall pay, at one 
time, one hundred and fifty dollars in addition to his 
admission fee, shall be exempt from the payment of all 
further dues, and all sums so paid shall be transferred 
immediately to the Treasurer for investment in such 
securities as shall be approved by the Board of 
Officers. 

Sec. 4. — Should a Companion who has commuted 
by payment as hereinbefore provided be transferred 
to another Commandery, there shall be paid to such 



4i 

Commandery an amount bearing the same propor- 
tion . to the present value of a life annuity — Carlisle 
Table, six per cent. — at his present age that the com- 
mutation fee originally paid by him bore to that value 
at his age at that time. 

ARTICLE VII. 

FINES. 

Section i. — The fundamental principles of this 
Order being recognized as its only test of loyal cit- 
izenship, the discussion or introduction of sectarian 
or partisan topics at meetings is prohibited, under 
penalty of such fine, not exceeding fifty dollars, as 
may be imposed by order of the Board of Officers. 

Sec. 2. — All other violations of the principles and 
obligations of the Order or neglect of duty may be 
fined at the option of the Commandery. 

ACTICLE VIII. 

RELIEF. 

Relief may be afforded to needy Companions, or 
the widows and orphans of deceased Companions. 
The Board of Officers, at its first meeting after in- 
stallation, shall appoint nine Companions, to be ap- 
proved by the Commandery, as a Relief Committee, 
to serve for one year from such approval, to which 
committee all applications for relief shall be referred. 
The committee may afford assistance in cases which 
admit of no delay, which shall be reported to the 



42 

Board of Officers at its next meeting. The expenses 
for such assistance shall be paid by an order on the 
Treasurer, duly signed and attested, but the said com- 
mittee shall incur no other expenses, except by reso- 
lution of the Commandery. 

ARTICLE IX. 

AMENDMENTS. 

No alte'ration, addition or amendment shall be made 
to the By-Laws unless agreed to in the Congress of 
the Order by three-fourths of the Commanderies. 




Instituted April 15, 1865. 



INDEX. 



Accounts — page 

to be kept by Recorder 38 

to be kept by Treasurer 39 

shall be audited by Council 22 

Admission Fee — 

shall be at least twenty-five dollars 12 

must accompany application for membership 12 

shall be refunded in case of non-election 12 

Admissions, Commanderies shall be notified of 38 

Amendments — 

to Constitution ^2 

to By-Laws 42 

Applications for Membership — 

to whom to be made 1 1 , 15 

how to be made 12 

must be accompanied by admission fee ........ 12 

shall be published in a circular 12 

shall be referred to a committee and reported on at next stated 

meeting 12 

who entitled to vote on 12 

number of adverse ballots required to reject 13, 15 

withdrawal of 13 

rejection of J 4 

renewal by rejected applicants of 14 

Commanderies shall be notified of acceptance, rejection, or 

withdrawal of 3^ 

Arrears of Dues — 

Companions cannot vote for officers or be eligible to office un- 
til paid 2 3 

Companions shall be notified annually of 23 

Companions may be suspended for 23 

Companions may be dropped from rolls for 24 

may be remitted 24 

43 



44 

Badge — See also Insignia. pagb 

description of 30, 31 

number of diploma to be engraved on link of 31 

Ballots — 

election of members by 12, 13, 14, 15 

election of officers by 20 

election of delegates to Congress by 28 

Boards of Officers — 

how constituted and elected 20 

Commander shall preside at meetings of 21 

Recorder shall record proceedings of 21 

duties and powers of 13, 16, 22, 39, 41 

shall investigate nominations for Third Class- membership . . 13 

shall investigate charges against Companions 16 

shall act as court of honor in dissensions between Com- 
panions 39, 40 

shall approve investment of funds 40 

may impose fines 41 

shall appoint relief committee 41 

Books of Commanderies — 

to be kept by Recorder 38 

to be kept by Registrar 21 

to be kept by Treasurer . .' 39 

to be kept by Chancellor 39 

shall be audited by Council ae 

Business, order of 36 

By-Laws, amendments to 42 

Chancellor-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 24, 25 

Chancellors — 

election of 20 

duties of 21, 39 

Chaplain-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 24 

Chaplain — 

election of 20 

duties of 22 



45 

PAGE 

Charges against Companions, how preferred and acted on 16, 17 
Charity 6, 41 

Charters — 

issue of 26 

form of . 26, 27 

shall be issued by Commandery-in-Chief 26, 28 

revocation of 25 

Circulars — 

Second Class Companions becoming First Class shall be pub- 
lished in 11 

applications for membership shall be published in 12 

nominations for Third Class membei ship shall be published in 13 
applications for restoration to membership shall be published 

in 16 

notice of petition of expelled member for reinstatement shall 

be published in 17 

notice for reinstatement of Companion dropped from the roll 
shall be published in 24 

Coat of Arms 29 

Collateral Descendants, eligibility to membership of . . 9,10,11 

Commanderies — See also State Commanderies. 

organizations of the Order shall be designated as 7 

form of titles for 7 

may become incorporated 7 

general parliamentary law shall govern meetings of ... . 37 

Commander-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 24 

shall sign diplomas 17 

may convene special meetings 25 

shall designate time and place of organizing new com- 
manderies 28 

shall be a member of the Congress 28 

Commanders — 

election of 20 

duties of 21,37 

shall call for objections to election of applicants 12 

shall read provisions of Constitution in case of rejection of 
application 15 



46 

Commanders continued — pagb 

may convene special meetings 23 

is member of Commandeiy-in-Chief 24 

Commandery-in-Chief — 

National Commandery shall be designated as 7 

may become incorporated 7 

Companions-at-Large shall be elected by 15 

designation and titles of officers of 20 

election of officers of 20 

investiture of officers of 20, 37 

membership of 24 

duties and powers of officers of 24 

executive and judicial power vested in 24 

diplomas shall be issued by 25 

revocation of charters by 25 

Philadelphia shall be headquarters of 25 

times and places of stated meetings of 25 

special meetings of 25 

provisions for expenses of 25 

charters for State Commanderies shall be issued by ... . 26 
time and place of organizing new Commanderies shall be 
designated by 28 

Committee of Investigation — 

applications for membership of First and Second Classes shall 

be referred to 12 

shall report on application to next stated meeting 12 

Board of Officers shall constitute, on nominations for Third 
Class membership 13 

Committee of Relief, appointment and duties of 41 

Commutation of Dues — 

may be made 40 

investment of money received for 40 

transfer of Companions who have paid 40 

Companions — 

shall be divided into three classes 7 

who eligible to become 7,8,9,10,11,15 

applications to become, and election of ... . II, 12, 13, 14, 15 

shall subscribe to Constitution 13 

installation of 13, 40 

entitled to insignia 13, 14 

who entitled to diploma 13, 14 



47 

Companions continued — page 

resignation of 15 

restoration of 16 

transfer of 16 

forfeiture of membership by 16 

expulsion of 17 

reinstatement of . IO, 17,24 

suspension of 17, 23, 24 

dropping from rolls of 24 

reprimand of 17 

Original First Class: 

who to be designated as 8, 15 

succession to membership of 8,9,10,11 

right of succession lost in case of expulsion of 10 

right of succession may be revived in case of resignation 

or dropping of 10 

eldest sons of living, eligible to Second Class membership 1 1 
none but Original Companions entitled to vote on admis- 
sion of 12 

entitled to insignia and diploma 13 

form of diploma for 17, 18 

description of ribbon for 32 

description of rosette for 32 

First Class : 

who to be designated as Original 8, 15 

who eligible by inheritance to become 8, 9, IO, II 

upon death of father a Second Class Companion becomes . 1 1 
Second Class Companions cannot vote on admission of . . II 

voting on admission of members by 12, 13 

entitled to insignia 13 

by inheritance from deceased officers, entitled to diploma 1 3, 14 

forms of diplomas for 1 7, 1 8, 19 

description of ribbon for 32 

description of rosette for 32 

Second Class: 

who eligible to become II 

when become First Class 1 1 

cannot vote on admission of members of the First Class . 11,12 

entitled to insignia 13 

shall return Second Class insignia on becoming Compan- 
ion of First Class 14 



4 8 

Companions continued — page 

description of ribbon for 32 

description of rosette for 32 

Third Class: 

who eligible to become II 

limitation on number of 11 

shall not be elected after April 15, 1S90 11 

how nominated and elected 13 

entitled to insignia and diploma 13, 14 

description of ribbon for 32 

description of rosette for 32 

Companions-at-Large — 

who eligible to become 15 

mode of electing 15 

shall affiliate with a State Commandery 15 

entitled to insignia and diploma 15 

Congress of the Order — 

of whom composed 28 

time and place of meeting of 28 

election of delegates to 28 

alternate delegates to 28 

manner of filling vacancies in 29 

legislative power vested in 29 

manner of voting in 29 

amending Constitution by 33 

general parliamentary law to govern meetings of 37 

Constitution — 

Companions shall subscribe to 13 

mode of amending jj 

Council- in-Chief — 

election of . . . 20 

duties of • • 24 

shall meet annually 25 

Council — 

election of 20 

duties of 22 

Death of Members — 

Commanderies shall be notified of 38 

families shall be notified relative to succession 39 

Deceased Officers, eligibility of descendants of 8 



49 

Declaration of Companions — page 

how made *3 

form of 4° 

Declaration of Officers — 

how made • 20 

form of 37 

Delegates to the Congress — 

when and how elected 28 

three from each State Commandery 28 

manner of filling vacancies in 29 

Descendants, eligibility to membership of 8,9,10,11 

Diplomas — 

who entitled to 13,14,15 

who to hold after death 14 

how made and attested 17 

form of 17, 18, 19 

Chancellors shall have custody of 21, 22 

shall be issued by Commandery-in-Chief 24, 25 

shall be delivered by Chancellor-in-Chief 25 

shall not be reissued 15 

shall be returned in case of resignation 15 

shall be returned on forfeiture of membership 16 

shall be numbered 3 1 

record shall be kept of issue of 39 

issue of duplicate 39 

District of Columbia Commandery 7 

Dropping from Roll — 

for non-payment of dues 24 

reinstatement in cases of 24 

of Companions by inheritance has effect of waiver .... 10 

reviving right of succession in cases of 10 

Dues — 

Companions cannot vote for officers or be eligible to office 

who are in arrears for 23 

Companions shall be notified in April of arrears of ... . 23 
Companions may be suspended or dropped from rolls for non- 
payment of 23, 24 

may be remitted 24 

Companions shall be notified in January of 38 

amount and disposition of 40 

4 



50 

Dues continued — pagb 

may be commuted 40 

Duties of Officers 21, 24, 25, 37 

Elections — 

of Delegates to the Congress: 

shall be by ballot 28 

time of holding 28 

of Members: 

who can vote in 12, 13, 15 

formal request for objections required prior to 12 

number of ballots required to reject 13, 15 

candidate must be balloted for if report unfavorable ... 13 
ballot must be unanimous if candidate has been previously 

rejected 14 

of Officers 

shall be by ballot 20 

of State Commanderies shall be annual 20 

of Commandery- in- Chief shall be biennial 20 

Companions in arrears for dues cannot vote in 23 

Eligibility to Membership 7,8,9,10,11,15 

Enlisted Men, eligibility to membership in certain cases of . . 8 

Executive Power, vested in Commandery-in-Chief 24 

Expulsion of Companions — 

causes for 14, 16, 17 

two-thirds vote required for 17 

reinstatement after 17 

of Companion by inheritance, has effect of waiver 10 

of Original Companion, cancels right of succession .... 10 

record to be kept of 38 

Commanderies shall be notified of 38 

Fines 41 

First Class Companions — 

who to be designated as Original 8, 15 

who eligible by inheritance to become 8, 9, 10, 1 1 

upon death of father a Second Class Companion becomes . . 11 
Second Class Companions cannot vote on admission of . . . 1 1 

voting on admission of members by 12,13 

entitled to insignia 13 

by inheritance from deceased officers, entitled to diploma . 13, 14 



5i 

First Class Companions continued — pag« 

forms of diplomas for 17, 18, 19 

description of ribbon for 32 

description of rosette for • • 32 

Fiscal Year 40 

Forfeiture of Membership — 

of Companion by inheritance, has effect of waiver 10 

limitations on 16 

diploma and insignia to be returned in case of 16 

Funds 40 

Impeachment of Members 16, 17 

Incorporation of Commanderies 7 

Inheritance of Membership 8,9,10,11 

Insignia — 

all Companions entitled to 14 

after death of Companion, who to hold 14 

Second Class Companions on becoming First Class to return . 14 

shall not be reissued 15 

shall be returned on resignation 15 

shall be returned on forfeiture of membership 16 

Chancellors shall have custody and issue of 21,22 

shall be delivered by Chancellor-in-Chief 25 

description of 30 

manner of wearing 33 

shall be worn at all meetings 33 

record to be kept of issue of 39 

issue of duplicate 39 

Installation of Companions — 

how made 13 

form of 40 

Investiture of Officers — 

how made 20 

form of 37 

Judicial Powers, vested in Commandery-in-Chief 24 

Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 24 

Junior Vice-Commanders — 

election of 20 



52 

Junior Vice-Commanders cotitinued — pagb 

duties of 21 

are members of Commandery-in-Chief 24 

Legislative Powers, vested in Congress of the Order .... 29 
Lineal Descendants, eligibility to membership of . . .8,9,10,11 

Meetings — 

general parliamentary law shall govern 37 

insignia shall be worn at 33 

of Board of Officers: 

Commander shall preside at 21 

Recorder shall record proceedings of 21 

of Commandery-in-Chief : 

times and places of stated meetings of 25 

Commander-in-Chief may call special meetings of ... . 25 
of Congress of the Order: 

time and place of holding 28 

manner of voting in 29 

of Council-in-Chief: 

shall be held annually 25 

of State Commanderies : 

times of holding stated 23 

annual meeting in May 23 

mode of convening special 23 

quorum required for 23 

none but Companions allowed in 23 

charter may be revoked after failure for one year to hold . 25 

order of business at 36 

Recorder shall give notice of 38 

Members shall be designated Companions 7 

Membership — See also Succession to Membership. 

three classes of 7, 15 

eligibility to 7,8,9,10,11,15 

applications for II, 12, 15 

nominations for Third Class 13 

election to 12, 13, 14, 15 

resignation of 15 

restoration to 16 

transfer of 16 

forfeiture of 16 



53 

Membership continued — PAGB 

expulsion from 17 

reinstatement to 10, 17, 24 

suspension of 17, 23, 24 

dropping from rolls of 24 

diplomas of 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 

Motto of the Order 30 

Name of the Order 5 

National Commandery, shall be designated Commandery-in- 

Chief 7 

Number — 

shall be given to each Companion on diploma 31 

shall be engraved on link of badge 31 

Objections to election of applicant 12 

Objects of the Order 6 

Officers — 

who served as such prior to April 15, 1865, eligible to mem- 
bership 8 

who served as enlisted men, in what cases eligible to mem- 
bership 8 

sons of deceased, eligible to membership . 8 

Officers of Commanderies — 

designation and title of 20 

time and manner of electing 20 

investiture of 20, 37 

when duties begin and terminate 20, 21, 28, 37 

duties and powers of 21, 22, 24, 25, 37 

filling vacancies in 22 

removal of 22 

Companions in arrears for dues cannot vote for, and in- 
eligible as 23 

manner of wearing insignia by 33 

Official Papers, form of 37 

Order of Business 36 

Organization of the Order 7 

Original Companions — 

who to be designated as 8, 15 

succession to membership of 8,9,10,11 



54 

Original Companions continued — pace 

right of succession lost in case of expulsion of 10 

right of succession may be revived in case of resignation or 

dropping of 10 

eldest son of living, eligible to Second Class membership . . 1 1 
none but Original Companions allowed to vote on admis- 
sion of 12 

entitled to insignia and diploma 15 

form of diploma for 17, iS 

description of ribbon for 32 

description of rosette for 32 

Parliamentary Law shall govern meetings 37 

Politics, fine for discussing 41 

Powers — 

executive and judicial, vested in Commandery-in-Chief ... 24 

legislative, vested in the Congress 29 

Preamble to Constitution 5 

Primogeniture, succession to membership to be governed by 

rules of 8 

Principles of the Order 6 

Quorum 23 

Recorder-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 21,24,38 

shall attest diplomas 17 

shall be member of the Congress 28 

Recorders — 

election of 20 

duties of 21, 38 

are members of Commandery-in-Chief 24 

Registrar-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 21,24 

Registrars — 

election of 20 

duties of 21 

Reinstatement to Membership — 

after resignation 15. 16 



55 

Reinstatement to Membership continued — page 

after expulsion 17 

after being dropped for non-payment of dues 24 

Commanderies shall be notified of 38 

Rejection — 

admission fee shall be refunded in case of 12 

number of adverse ballots required for 13, 15 

ballot must be unanimous if candidate previously rejected . 14 

Commanderies shall be notified of 14, 38 

effect of 14 

renewal of application in case of 14 

succession to membership in case of 14 

Companions shall be expelled for giving information rel- 
ative to 14 

provisions of Constitution to be read in case of 15 

Relief Committee 41 

Religion, fine for discussing 41 

Remission of Dues, two-thirds vote required for 24 

Removal of Officers 22 

Reports — 

of committee on applications for membership 12, 13, 15 

of Board of Officers on charges 17 

of Council on accounts 22 

shall be made annually by State Commanderies 28 

shall be made annually by Recorders 39 

shall be made annually by Treasurers 39 

Reprimand 17 

Resignation of Membership — 

how made and acted on 15, 16 

dues must be paid and insignia and diploma returned on . . 1 5 

cannot be accepted pending charges 16 

restoration after 16 

of Companion by inheritance has effect of waiver 10 

of Original Companion, right of inheritance may be revived . 10 

Commanderies shall be notified of 3S 

Restoration to Membership — 

after resignation 15, 16 

after expulsion 17 

after being dropped for non-payment of dues 24 

Commanderies shall be notified of 38 



56 

Ribbon — page 

Chancellors shall have custody and issue of . . • .... 21,22 

shall be delivered by Chancellor-in-Chief 25 

description of 31 

record to be kept of issue of 39 

Rosette — 

Chancellors shall have custody and issue of 21, 22 

shall be delivered by Chancellor-in-Chief 25 

description «f 32 

manner of wearing ^ 

record to be kept of issue of 39 

Rules and Regulations 37 

Seal of the Order — 

description of 30 

shall be affixed to diplomas 17 

Recorders shall have custody of 39 

Second Class Companions — 

who eligible to become 11 

when become First Class 11 

cannot vote on admission of members of First Class ... II, 12 

entitled to insignia 13 

shall return Second Class insignia on becoming Companions 

of First Class 14 

description of ribbon for 32 

description of rosette for 32 

Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 24 

Senior Vice-Commanders — 

election of 20 

duties of 21 

are members of Commandery-in-Chief 24 

Special Meetings, how convened 23, 25 

Staff Officers, who serned without commissions 15 

State Commanderies — 

organization of 7 

limited to one in each State 7 

form of title of 7 

relative seniority of 7 

may become incorporated 7 



57 

State Commanderies continued — pagb 

meetings of 23 

issue of charters for 26 

form of charter for 26, 27 

revocation of charters of . 25 

shall be assessed for expenses of Commandery-in-Chief . . 25 

manner of organizing 28 

rules and regulations may be adopted by 28 

annual reports shall be made by 28 

shall each have one vote in the Congress 29 

Stated Meetings — 

of Congress of the Order 28 

of Commandery-in-Chief 25 

of Council-in-Chief 25 

of State Commanderies 23 

Succession to Membership — 

to be governed by rules of primogeniture 8 

by descendants of Original Companions 8 

by descendants of deceased officers 8 

inheritance shall be traced back in each case of 9 

limitations in cases of collateral descendants ....... 9 

waiving right of 9 

in case first descendant is eligible in his own right .... 9 

when collateral descendants may be nominated 10 

in case of minors shall be held in abeyance 10 

right not lost by resignation, expulsion, or forfeiture of mem- 
bership of Companion by inheritance 10 

right lost by expulsion of Original Companion 10 

right may be revived in case of resignation or forfeiture of 

membership of Original Companion 10 

right must be supported by affidavits 1 1 

in case of rejection of applicant 14 

new number to be engraved on badge in case of 31 

Recorders shall notify families of deceased Companions of 

provisions relative to 39 

Suspension — 

for misconduct 17 

for non-payment of dues 23 

Commanderies shall be notified of 38 

Third Class Companions — 

who eligible to become II 



58 

Third Class Companions continued — PAGr 

limitation on number of 1 1 

shall not be elected after April 15, 1S90 11 

how nominated and elected 13 

entitled to insignia and diploma 13)14 

description of ribbon for 32 

description of rosette for 32 

Title of the Order 5 

Titles of Commanderies 7 

Transfers — 

when allowed and how made 16 

in case of revocation of charter 25 

of Companions who have commuted dues 40 

Treasurer-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 24 

Treasurers — 

election of 20 

duties of 2 1 , 39 

/ 

Uniforms 33 

Vacancies — 

in offices of Commanderies, how filled 21,22 

in the Congress of the Order, how filled 28, 29 

Vice-Commanders — 

election of 20 

duties of 21 

are members of Commandery-in-Chief 24 

Vice-Commanders-in-Chief — 

election of 20 

duties of 24 

Voting — 

majority vote required to revive right of succession .... 10 
Second Class Companions shall not vote on application for 

First Class Membership II 

who entitled to vote on applications for Original membership. 12 
who entitled to vote on applications for First Class member- 

ship by inheritance 12 

who entitled to vote on applications for Second Class mem- 
bership 12 



59 

Voting continued — pagb 
who entitled to vote on nominations for Third Class mem- 
bership 13 

more than four adverse ballots reject applications for First 

or Second Class membership 13 

one adverse ballot rejects nominations for Third Class mem- 
bership 13 

one adverse ballot rejects application for membership at large. 15 
one adverse ballot rejects application of candidate previously 

rejected 14 

two-thirds vote required to accept resignation 16 

majority vote required to restore Companion who has re- 
signed 16 

two-thirds vote required to expel, suspend, or reprimand a 

Companion for misconduct 1 7 

unanimous vote required to reinstate Companion who has 

been expelled 17 

majority of ballots cast required to elect officers 20 

two-thirds vote required to remove officers 22 

majority vote required to suspend Companion for non-pay- 
ment of dues 23 

two-thirds vote required to drop Companion for non-payment 

of dues 24 

two-thirds vote required to remit dues 24 

majority vote required to reinstate Companion dropped for 

non-payment of dues 24 

two-thirds vote required to issue charter 26 

delegates to the Congress shall be elected by ballot .... 28 
each State Commandery has one vote in the Congress ... 29 
vote of three-fourths of Commanderies required to amend 

Constitution 33 

vote of three-fourths of Commanderies required to amend 

By-Laws 42 

Waiving Right of Succession — 

may be done by any person eligible by inheritance 9 

in case of minors must remain in abeyance IO 

resignation, expulsion, or forfeiture of Companion by inherit- 
ance has effect of 10 

Withdrawal of Applications — 

admission fee shall be refunded in case of 12 

when allowed 13 

Commanderies shall be notified of 38 



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